The West Indies warmed up for the first cricket Test against New Zealand with valuable time in the middle as their three-day match against Auckland ended in a draw.

After Auckland had declared at 587 for seven, the West Indies had reached 431 for seven when stumps were drawn.

It was never a realistic run chase and opener Sewnarine Chattergoon contented himself with a deliberate 93 off 247 balls, while Ramnaresh Sarwan top-scored with 158 before he retired.

After starting the final day at 82 without loss, the West Indies added eight runs before Xavier Marshall became the first wicket to fall, bowled by left-arm paceman Michael Bates for 47.

As the tourists crept along at just more than two runs an over, Chattergoon and Sarwan put on 116 for the second wicket before Chattergoon's five hours at the crease ended when he was bowled by spinner Tarun Nethula.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul added 22 and Brendan Nash 23, but both would be disappointed they did not last longer in the middle, while wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin was not out 37, including seven boundaries, at the close.

The first Test against New Zealand starts in the southern city of Dunedin on December 11.

Opening batsman Jamie How has paid the price for an extended run of poor form and been dropped from the New Zealand cricket squad for the last two one-day internationals against the West Indies.
He has been replaced by international newcomer Martin Guptill, a 22-year-old right-hand batsman who has been in strong form for his first class team Auckland.

A late batting onslaught by Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin saw the West Indies snatch victory with one ball to spare in the one-day international against New Zealand here Saturday.
In a match reduced to 28 overs per side after a lengthy disruption due to thunder and hail, New Zealand made 152 for eight and under the Duckworth-Lewis system the West Indies were set a target of 158 to win.